Asbestos

In the past, asbestos has not only been used in buildings but in a wide variety of objects. Because of this, objects containing asbestos have found their way into museum collections.

1. Asbestos | Asbestos is a natural mineral that can appear as chrysotile (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄), crocidolite (Na₂(Fe₂Mg)₃Fe₂Si₈O₂₂), amosite ((Fe₂+,Mg)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂), tremolite (Ca₂(Mg,Fe₂+)₅[OH|Si₄O₁₁]₂), actinolite (Ca₂(Fe₂+,Mg)₅[OH|Si₄O₁₁]₂), and anthophyllite ((Mg,Fe₂+)₇Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂.).

For more information about abestos and heritage, please check this resource: https://ziterasbestin.be/ziterasbestin/

Since 1998 it has been forbidden to produce materials containing asbestos in Belgium. Just a few years later the ban for any use of materials containing asbestos was also put in place. In the past, asbestos has not only been used in buildings but in a wide variety of objects. Because of this, objects containing asbestos have found their way into museum collections.

The War Heritage Institute also has objects containing asbestos in its depots and on display in the museum in Brussels. Some of the objects that contain asbestos are fire-resistant clothing, gasmasks, and clay pipes. With the health and safety of both employees and visitors in mind some of these objects were placed in better display cases in 2019.

As the fibers of asbestos can penetrate deep into the lungs, inhaling loose asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. Usually symptoms of asbestos related illnesses only occur around 30 or 40 years after the exposure. Factors like repeated exposure of loose asbestos fibers, smoking, and genetic sensibility can increase the chance of asbestosis or other related illnesses.

Table of content

Heavy metals | Old pesticides  | Medical equipment  | Chemical warfare equipment  | Asbestos